Chapter 168 Jade Spirit Eyes

Upon hearing this, Eldrin's gaze turned icy cold, a flicker of killing intent flashing through his heart.

Having cultivated to this day, even a Purple Mansion Elder would treat him as an equal—this was the first time he had encountered someone daring enough to threaten him like this.

Throughout the nations of Jizhou, a Purple Mansion cultivator was considered elite combat strength wherever they went—even Golden Core immortal clans would show them a measure of respect.

Although Deng Yuanwu had the backing of a Golden Core immortal clan, he had ultimately failed to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. Should he provoke an unyielding Purple Mansion Patriarch, he could be slain without a second thought.

With his Purple Mansion cultivation, finding a backer unafraid of the Deng Clan wouldn't be difficult. At worst, he could simply leave the Yan Kingdom far behind.

And Eldrin, hailing from beyond the Yan Kingdom, was, in a way, precisely the kind of person unafraid of trouble.

Deng Yuanwu’s blatant threats against Eldrin (Person Name) ultimately stemmed from overconfidence—a product of having grown up sheltered, untouched by the harsh realities of the world.

Recalling that the other party belonged to the Deng Clan, Eldrin ultimately suppressed his killing intent.

"Do not bring ruin upon yourself."

Not wishing to converse further, he turned and walked back with Lila (Person Name).

Deng Yuanwu's face turned ashen, his expression icy as he prepared to strike, but he was stopped by a fellow Deng Clan cultivator beside him.

"Brother Yuanwu, this is the 1000 Star Islands."

"This is the territory of the Yan Kingdom's Immortal Alliance. I'm afraid we won't gain any advantage if we take action here."

Deng Yuanwu’s expression shifted repeatedly. The Yan Kingdom Immortal Clan Alliance was composed of 2 Golden Core Immortal Clans and 20-some Purple Mansion Immortal Clans. Though this force remained relatively fragmented, it still held an edge over the Deng Clan by a noticeable margin.

If they were to take action in the market of 1000 Star Island, even the Immortal Alliance would likely not grant them any leeway.

The Deng clansman looked puzzled, but he also understood that although Deng Yuanwu had an overbearing temperament, he would not provoke others without reason. Thus, he inquired further.

"Have you noticed something?"

"That girl has an Ice Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root)."

Deng Yuanwu suppressed his urge to strike, his expression grave as he spoke.

He had cultivated a rare supernatural power known as the 'Jade Spirit Eye'. This ability served as an auxiliary technique, allowing its practitioner to observe the innate aptitude and spiritual foundation of fellow cultivators upon mastery.

Moreover, it could penetrate illusions, formations, and the true nature of an opponent's supernatural abilities. During magical combat, it allowed cultivators to see through their adversaries' strength with greater clarity, enabling them to seize the optimal moment to strike and achieve victory with a single decisive move.

Pupil arts were exceptionally rare. Throughout the entire Chu Kingdom, aside from Celestial Ruins Mountain which enjoyed the patronage of Lyra, even the 3 great Golden Core sects possessed no similar heritage. It never occurred to Eldrin that he would coincidentally encounter 1 so unexpectedly.

Deng Yuanwu had just caught sight of Lila (Person Name) when he instantly saw through her spiritual roots, sparking wicked thoughts within him.

A maiden with an Ice Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root)—if captured and made to cultivate furnace-cauldron techniques...

"Then in the future, when she cultivates to the Purple Palace, Late Stage, if we perform the harvesting technique then, it might increase my chances of breaking through to the Golden Core Realm by 10 to 20 percent."

Deng Yuanwu watched the 2 figures recede into the distance, his gaze shadowed with gloom as he declared, "This concerns my chance at the Dao's providence. I will never let that girl slip away."

“Ice Spiritual Root (Spiritual Root)。”

The cultivator from the Deng family furrowed his brow slightly, yet nodded in agreement.

However, he hesitated for a moment before advising, "Some time ago, this person exchanged a third-grade magic treasure for the Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object). He likely has some influential connections."

"Moreover, judging by that man's exceptionally sharp aura, I suspect he is no easy opponent. You might not succeed in cutting him down."

"Whoever he may be, anyone who stands in my path shall die."

"Deng Yuanwu said with a frosty expression, his tone arrogant and domineering, his face even bearing a trace of ferocity."

Judging by Eldrin's (Person Name) aura, he was clearly among the elite in the Foundation Establishment stage. Under normal circumstances, 1 would hesitate to provoke such an individual, yet opportunities in cultivation are far too crucial to ignore.

Cultivation demands all manner of resources, making it impossible to proceed solely through harmony and goodwill. Once 1 reaches a certain realm, who hasn’t accumulated a few enemies along the way?

Grudges are never formed without cause; in the end, they all stem from the struggle for opportunities and the pursuit of advancement.

However, some individuals descend into madness, practicing the depraved path of plundering others' cultivation, some even falling headlong into demonic arts. Yet there are those who can still uphold their humanity and moral principles.

Deng Yuanwu, backed by a Golden Core Immortal Clan, had practiced the art of dual cultivation for many years and had clearly strayed onto the demonic path.

Cultivation methods of the unorthodox path often allow negative energy to invade a cultivator's sea of consciousness, subtly influencing their temperament without their awareness.

They often possess paranoid and arrogant temperaments, acting entirely on whims, making it all too easy for them to offend others.

And this was the price of taking shortcuts in cultivation. Those who practiced the art of soul plundering without sufficient backing would inevitably offend the wrong people, and more often than not, righteous cultivators would brandish their swords and cut them down as demonic practitioners.

This is precisely the fundamental reason why demonic cultivators and practitioners of unorthodox paths, despite their astonishingly rapid progress in cultivation, are perpetually scorned by righteous cultivators. Nearly all of them lose their way on the path of cultivation, failing to see through their own karmic obstructions and proving unfit to enter the halls of elegance.

Throughout the annals of Zijie's recorded history, those who managed to see through their inner demons, ultimately comprehend their own Dao, and ascend as demon gods could be counted on 2 hands—no more than 10 in total.

And of those 2 handfuls of Demon Gods, the majority were once renowned Dao Lords who shook the world, only falling into darkness after their obsessions turned them to demons.

Deng Yuanwu possessed a triple spiritual root, a constitution that could hardly be considered exceptional. For years, he had practiced cultivation by absorbing the vital essence of female cultivators through the art of dual cultivation, draining countless cauldrons to fuel his path.

Yet unknowingly, his temperament had been influenced by the lingering resentment contained within the female cultivator's primordial essence, growing increasingly paranoid and arrogant—to the point of verging on the demonic path.

At this moment, Deng Yuanwu's vision was clouded by greed and wicked thoughts—how could mere words from others possibly restrain him?

"I am determined to claim that girl without fail. Our clan brother possesses extraordinary pursuit techniques—I beg your assistance in this endeavor."

"Alas." Seeing that Deng Yuanwu could not be dissuaded, the clansman shook his head and said, "Give me a few days. Let me investigate his identity first."

Eldrin returned to his cave abode to find that Varen had already concluded his secluded cultivation after merely 2 days.

At this moment, Varen stood before his cave abode, his appearance already withered to an extreme, his long hair turned the color of snow. He seemed to have aged significantly compared to 3 months prior.

Seeing his expression, Eldrin’s heart sank, and he couldn’t help but say, “Brother Wei…”

"Sigh."

Varen shook his head, his face etched with bitter anguish.

His figure had unknowingly stooped a great deal, like an old man on the verge of decay.

"This breakthrough to the Violet Mansion ultimately fell just short of success."

Varen wore an expression of profound regret. This time, he had spared no effort in breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm, even burning his vital essence blood at the final moment to forcefully penetrate 90% of the Celestial Veins of the Purple Mansion.

Alas, he ultimately fell half a step short. The final stretch loomed like an insurmountable chasm. At 1 100 and 80 years of age, his vital energy had finally begun to wither.

If he were 10 years younger, burning his essence blood in that desperate attempt might have already allowed him to breach the threshold of the Purple Mansion.

But now, his breakthrough had failed, and he had even depleted a significant portion of his vital essence blood. His lifespan was likely to shorten by 4 or 5 years—a devastatingly steep price to pay.

Chapter 1: Rebirth of the Immortal Sovereign The sky thundered, crimson lightning tearing through the clouds as heavenly tribulation descended. Lin Feng, the once-revered Celestial Emperor, now found his cultivation base shattered, his divine soul scattering amidst the roaring thunder. "To think I, who once shook the heavens, would fall here..." His consciousness faded into darkness. When Lin Feng opened his eyes again, the familiar celestial palaces were gone. Instead, he found himself in a dilapidated wooden hut, his body wracked with pain. "Brother Feng, you're awake!" A girl's voice, tinged with tears, reached his ears. Turning his head, he saw a girl in coarse linen garments, her eyes red-rimmed. Memories flooded back - this was his cousin, Su Yan. And he... had returned to 3 100 years ago, to when he was still an outer sect disciple of the Azure Cloud Sect. "I'm fine," Lin Feng managed, though his voice was hoarse. Internally, he was ecstatic. The Heavenly Reversal Pearl, his lifebound treasure, had actually reversed time itself! He checked his dantian - his cultivation had regressed to the first level of Qi Refining. But what did it matter? With the cultivation methods and memories from his previous life, reaching the pinnacle again was merely a matter of time. "Su Yan, help me up," Lin Feng said. Supporting him, Su Yan whispered, "Brother Feng, that Zhao Kuang... he went too far. Just because his uncle is an elder, he dares to seriously injure fellow disciples..." Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. Zhao Kuang - he remembered this incident. In his previous life, this injury had damaged his foundations, causing his cultivation to stagnate for decades. But now... things would be different. "Don't worry," Lin Feng patted her hand, "I'll settle this score properly." Just then, the door was kicked open with a bang. 3 figures swaggered in, led by a young man in blue robes. "Well, well, if it isn't our cripple, finally awake?" Zhao Kuang sneered, looking down at Lin Feng. "Since you're still alive, hand over the 3 Foundation Building Pills your father left you. Consider it compensation for my efforts in 'teaching you a lesson'." Lin Feng's gaze turned icy. In his previous life, he had been forced to surrender the pills, missing his best chance to build his foundation. But now... "Get out," Lin Feng said coldly. Zhao Kuang was taken aback, then laughed angrily. "Have you lost your mind from that beating? Fine, I'll help you remember your place!" He reached out to grab Lin Feng, but to everyone's surprise, Lin Feng moved first. His fingers, seemingly slow but actually swift, struck 3 acupoints on Zhao Kuang's arm. "Ah!" Zhao Kuang screamed, clutching his arm as he stumbled back. His 2 lackeys hurriedly supported him. "You... you dare resist?" Zhao Kuang stared in disbelief. This Lin Feng, who usually cowered before him, actually fought back? Lin Feng's voice was calm. "Tell your uncle that these 3 Foundation Building Pills will remain with me. If he wants them... he can come get them himself." Zhao Kuang wanted to say more, but meeting Lin Feng's gaze sent a chill down his spine. It was a look that seemed to see through life and death, carrying an imperial pressure that made it hard to breathe. "Just you wait!" Zhao Kuang fled in panic with his lackeys. Su Yan looked at Lin Feng with concern. "Brother Feng, this..." "Don't worry." Lin Feng smiled. "From today on, no 1 will bully us again." Night fell. Lin Feng sat cross-legged on his bed, circulating the 9 Revolutions Celestial Art. This was the supreme cultivation method he had obtained in his previous life from an ancient ruin, far superior to the Azure Cloud Sect's basic techniques. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth surged toward him, forming visible vortices. His damaged meridians rapidly healed under the art's influence. By daybreak, Lin Feng had not only fully recovered but broken through to the second level of Qi Refining. Opening his eyes, a faint golden light flashed within them. He took out a jade bottle containing 3 crystalline pills - the Foundation Building Pills. In his previous life, he had used these pills recklessly, wasting most of their efficacy. But now, with his knowledge as a Celestial Emperor, he could maximize their effects. He produced a stalk of 7 Color Spirit Grass from his chest - something he had secretly gathered while gathering herbs for the sect. Combined with the Foundation Building Pills, he could refine the legendary Perfect Foundation Pill. Summoning a wisp of primordial flame - a basic technique for him now - he began refining the pills. The spiritual herbs swiftly melted under the flame's heat, their impurities evaporating away. 3 days and nights passed. When the flame dissipated, 3 golden pills lay in Lin Feng's palm, emanating pure spiritual energy. Without hesitation, he swallowed 1. The potent medicinal power surged through his meridians, but under his control, it flowed smoothly along the 9 Revolutions Celestial Art's pathways. Crack! A faint sound came from within his body. The third level of Qi Refining! But Lin Feng wasn't satisfied. He consumed the second Perfect Foundation Pill. The fourth level of Qi Refining! When he took the third pill, his cultivation skyrocketed to the peak of the fifth level of Qi Refining! In just 3 days, he had leaped from the first to the fifth level of Qi Refining. Such speed would shock the entire cultivation world. But Lin Feng knew this was only the beginning. In 3 days, it would be the outer sect disciple competition. The top 3 could enter the inner sect and obtain better cultivation resources. Zhao Kuang... Lin Feng's lips curved. Let the settling of accounts begin there.